Monday, June 25, 2007

Waiting for the plumber

We're ready to open, except our plumber has been ducking us for weeks. I don't think I have to tell you how incensed/frustrated/terrified Jon and I are about that. We keep calling him, and calling him, and calling him, to more excuses and avoidance. Today is The Great Ultimatum Day: we've put up with his delays for a while, but if he doesn't show up or commit to show up very soon, we're going to get someone else to do the work. I'll let you know how it goes.

Books

Do you have any books you're dying to get rid of? Do you know someone/someplace that does? Let us know, because we're trying to fill our three massive bookcases. Thanks!

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Done! Ish!

Well, we're pretty much finished with the space. The furniture is in, everything looks like it's supposed to (except with the standard layer of construction dust), etc:

--We have a soda gun. I don't think I have to tell you how much fun that is.
--We have a credit card machine, so anyone who wants to donate money, just come on by and we'll swipe your card. Yes, we even take Discover.
--Our satellite TV is happening, so you can watch any baseball game you desire that doesn't involve New York or Boston sports teams.
--Couches!
--Speakers!

And so on. It feels like we're decorating an apartment now, which is much better than when it felt like we were building one. Jon will take pictures soon, but I trust all of you will be by to see the space once we're open, which shouldn't be much more than a week. Isn't that grand? I consider it grand.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

I just sent this e-mail out

to our mailing list, FYI:

Hello, everyone,

Well, with our bar nearly done, it's finally time to start thinking about the human fixtures that will operate it--yes, our glorious bartending staff. I know many of you have indicated interest in bartending in the past, but now is the time for a real signed commitment. Most of you know what it's going to entail, but in case you don't, basically we'll be calling on you to be the friendly face of our bar, making drinks and making our customers feel comfortable. Jon and I will be on hand to train you for your first few shifts, and to support you in your later ones, so don't worry if you're not sure you yet have the requisite drink-slinging skills. You only need to be extremely punctual and responsible--we need to be able to count on you to work your shift or get someone to cover it. We're actually planning on paying our bartenders more than most bars (which usually pay well under minimum wage), $7.25 an hour. Of course, you'll still be raking in most of your money with tips. Finally, I should say that bartending at our bar will be lots and lots of fun--we'll have great customers, a great environment, and great side benefits (uhh, free beer anyone?).

Also, there are three other job possibilities that some of you might be interested in:

1. Bouncer. You won't be hanging out at the door and checking IDs (except perhaps on extremely busy weekend nights). Rather, you'll basically be paid a small wage to sit somewhere and have a (free) beer, while supporting the bartenders in keeping any poorly behaved or underaged customers out of the bar.
2. Substitute Manager. Jon and I plan on being at the bar every day for at least a month or two. But eventually, there may occasionally be a few days when we'll be out of town or otherwise occupied. On those days, we'll need a guest manager to be at the bar or easily on call and do the stuff we normally do--take deliveries and make orders, keep track of the cash, make sure the bartenders have everything they need, and so on. Those of you with good gopher/general management skills can apply for this one (Matt Medlin, Brian, Justin, I'm looking in your direction). We're willing to pay pretty well for this; we'll work out some contracts once we know who is interested.
3. Backup Bartender: Some of you may not be able to work a regular shift, but might want to hop behind the bar for one or two random days per month when somebody else can't work. We'll keep a list of backup bartenders that we'll call in these situations; let us know if you want to be on it.

So write back to me at fiatlux@pacificstandardbrooklyn.com if you're definitely interested and we'll send you an employment contract to sign. We'll also be working up a shift schedule for bartenders and any bouncers, so indicate if you have preferred shifts to work, and if you CAN'T work any days/nights. Here's our tentative shift schedule:

Monday-Thursday: One person working from 4 pm-4 am (don't worry, Becca, we can accommodate you and Ashley--and by the way, would you forward this to Ashley?)
Friday: Two people working from 4 pm-4 am
Saturday: One person working from 12 pm-8 pm. Two people working from 8 pm-4 am.
Sunday: One person working from 12 pm-8 pm. One person (could be the same person) working from 8 pm-4 am.

Okay? Let me know if you have any questions, and of course forward this to any upstanding friends of yours who might be interested.

Your friend in Standard,

John